China will focus on 'unbalanced and inadequate' development in next 5 years: Xi

CHINA must focus on addressing the problem of "unbalanced and inadequate development" in the next 5 years, Chinese President Xi Jinping told senior leaders this week.

State broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday (Jul 27) cited him making the comments in a special 2-day meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, in which he laid out his vision for the next 5 years after the ruling Communist Party holds a Congress later this year.

Xi had first mentioned the need to address "unbalanced and inadequate development" as a policy priority in 2017 when he presented a major political document at the ruling Communist Party's 19th Congress.

He is expected to secure a precedent-breaking third term as China's top leader later this year at the next 5-yearly Congress.

Xi told regional chiefs and ministers gathered for the meeting that the party must keep up its "fighting spirit" and strengthen its "ability to fight". REUTERS